Interim Security Clearance Denial

Interim federal security clearances are temporary clearances granted while an applicant is still undergoing a final investigation. Interim clearances are granted because they can be given in a few days, while final clearances can take months.

Today, interim security clearances are used often because final clearance investigations can take a long time. An applicant might miss a job opportunity while waiting for final clearance, so interim security clearance has become essential for getting certain types of work.

Some federal agencies will not accept an interim security clearance, however, but many do. These bureaus present applicants with "Conditional Offers of Employment" (COE) to allow them to begin work before a final clearance is granted.

If an interim security clearance is denied, the COE is withdrawn. Such denials can be made for almost any disqualifying circumstance. Although an applicant cannot always completely mitigate a disqualifying situation, he or she may be able to receive an interim clearance by providing sufficient information on the clearance investigation form.

What to Do if You Have Been Denied an Interim Clearance

If you have been denied an interim federal security clearance, now is the time to seek the advice of a national security clearance attorney. The Edmunds Law Firm is experienced in helping people get national security clearances and can help you navigate the often confusing process.

Our clients have had dozens of different disqualifying circumstances which we have been able to address and successfully help them attain an interim security clearance. Most security denials fall into the following areas:

• Drug abuse, possession, sale or cultivation
• Financial issues such as debt or deceptive or illegal conduct
• Personal conduct indicating poor judgment or dishonesty
• Foreign influence if it appears the applicant feels loyal to both the U.S. and another country
• Foreign preference, which might include holding a foreign passport, living in a foreign country long enough to become a citizen, military service in a foreign country and/or accepting educational, medical, or retirement benefits from a foreign country

The Edmunds Law Firm can help the applicant supply information on the clearance application form that fully mitigates the disqualifying information. Sometimes the form does not specifically request mitigating information and failing to do so can result in a denial. It is important, even if the form does not specifically request mitigating information that you supply it wherever possible.

You should always supply as much information as you can in areas such as:

• "Continuation Space"
• Paper version where you can insert an addendum at the end
• Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing version following the relevant question

Contact the Edmunds Law Firm for Help

For the best help available in the complex area of interim security clearance or denial of such clearance, contact The Edmunds Law Firm. We can advise you and make sure you complete the forms fully and accurately to give you the best chance of obtaining acceptance. To learn more, please contact a security clearance attorney and schedule a consultation.